Latching mechanism for securing freight bodies on vehicles



Jan. 23, 1951 c, J, PASKO 2,539,201

LATCHING MECHANISM FOR SECURING FREIGHT BODIES 0N VEHICLES Filed 001'.. 29, 1945 @c Za 6 77 P V l y 3l/ .a4 29 36 will' 34 C Jfaso IN V EN TOR.

Patented Jan. 23, 19,51

LATCHING MECHANISM FOR SECURING FREIGHT BODIES ON VEHICLES Charles J. Pasko, Elizabeth, N. J.

Application October 29, 1945, Serial No. 625,300

(crass-35) 2 Claims.

This invention relates to means :for removably securing heavily loaded car bodies to their trucks, whereby the heavily loaded bodies may be readily and easily transferred from ,a motor vehicle truck to a railway car, or vice versa.

The primary object of the invention is to provide a latch mechanism including a cone-shaped member carried by the removable body and tapered socket members into which the coneshaped members extend, guiding the heavily loaded bodies to their proper supported positions on the trucks.

Another important object of the invention is to provide latching means which will automatically latch, under the weight of the heavily loaded body.

With the foregoing and other objects in view which will appear as the description proceeds, the invention consists of certain novel details of construction and combinations of parts hereinafter more fully described and pointed out in the claims, it being understood that changes may be made in the construction and arrangement of parts without departing from the spirit of the invention as claimed.

Referring to the drawing:

Figure 1 is a sectional view through the securing means used in guiding and securing the heavily loaded body to its supporting truck.

Fig. 2 is a plan view thereof.

Fig. 3 is a fragmental perspective view illustrating one of the pivoted latch arms of the securing device.

Referring to the drawing in detail, the trucks of the motor vehicle or railway rolling stock with which the invention is used are provided with sockets 28 disposed in the upper surface thereof which sockets are formed with iianges 29 that rest in recesses formed in the trucks, so that they extend below the lower surfaces of the trucks. Pivotally mounted on each socket member, are latch arms 30 which extend through opening in the sides of the sockets to engage within the annular grooves 3l formed in the heads 32 that extend downwardly from the transferable bodies used in connection with the trucks and transfer system. Coiled springs 33 are mounted on the pivots of the latch arms and operate to urge the latch arms inwardly to their latching positions. Since the heads 32 are adapted to t within the tapered sockets, it will be obvious that as the heads move into the sockets, the tapered surfaces of the heads will contact latch arms moving them outward against the action of the springs 33, the latches moving into the annular grooves as the grooves fall opposite to the lugs of the latch arms.

Finger pieces 34 extend from the free ends of the latch arms and afford means whereby the latch arms may be swung outwardly to disengage the heads 32, releasing the heads and body on which the heads are mounted for transfer.

The reference character 35 designates ears which extend outwardly from the outer surfaces of the sockets 28, the ears being disposed in parallel spaced relation with respect to each other, and spaced a distance to permit the latch arms 30 to move therebetween. These ears 35 are formed with openings to receive the cotter pins 36 which are positioned within the openings after the latch arms have moved into latching relation with the heads that have moved into sockets, whereby the latch arms are securely held in engagement with the heads and prevented from becoming accidentally disconnected due to vibrations and jars incident to the vehicle or rolling stock passing over irregularsurfaces.

In the operation of the securing means, assuming that a heavily loaded body is to be removed from a freight car, the truck to which the heavily loaded body is to be transferred is moved to a position adjacent to the freight car. Suitable lifting means is attached to the heavily loaded body and the securing means is released. The heavily loaded body is now lifted from the freight car and swung to a position directly over the motor truck. The heavily loaded body is now lowered onto the motor truck with the heads 32 of the fastening devices moving into the sockets 28, where the ratchet arms 30 move to grip the heads 32 securing the heavily loaded body to the motor truck. It will be obvious that because of applicants structure the weight of the heavily loaded body is supported directly on the truck and the securing means acts only to prevent displacement of the heavily loaded body from the truck.

What is claimed is:

1. A connecting means for removably connecting a heavy body to a truck, comprising tapered socket members secured in openings in a floor structure of the truck, pivoted latch members mounted laterally of the socket members, said socket members having openings in the side thereof through which said latch members extend, conical heads having annular grooves secured to the heavy body, said conical heads adapted to move into the socket members alig'ning the heads and socket members, said conical heads conforming to the shape of the socket sockets are mounted, the lower ends of the sockets being open, said socket members having openings in the side walls thereof, pivoted latch members mounted exteriorly of the socket members, lugs on said latch members extending through the openings in the socket members,l

conical heads having annular grooves, secured to the heavy body, said conical heads being substantially longer than the socket members, said conical heads yadapted to move into the socket 4 members with their lower ends extended through the open ends of the socket members, said lugs of the latch members adapted to move into the annular grooves securing the heavy body to a truck.

CHARLES J. PASKO.

REFERENCES CITED The following `references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,049,210 Cole, Jr. Dec. 31, 1912 1,259,397- Hathaway Mar. 12, 1918 1,325,353 Day, Jr. Dec. 16, 1919 1,570,288 Smith Jan. 19, 1926 1,862,632 Perin June 14, 1932 2,102,844 Hester Dec. 21, 1937 2,117,067 Ludington; May 10, 1938 2,227,144 Krause Dec. 31, 1940 

